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Hospital Removes Controversial 'Gangnam Style' Parody From YouTube

A Toronto hospital has pulled its obstetrics-themed parody video of "Gangnam Style" after a birthing group complained it was "offensive."

Initially uploaded to Sunnybrook Hospital's YouTube channel on Dec. 14, it features medical residents horse-dancing through hospital hallways, flying plastic babies, and a doctor said to be covered in "five bodily fluids."

"OB/GYNE Style" (disclaimer: the video may be offensive to some viewers) was removed on Dec. 19 amid criticisms from Humanize Birth, but was later reposted by another YouTube user on Dec. 22. The group, which aims to reduce "traumatic birth experiences" for women, is demanding a public apology from the hospital and the University of Toronto's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (the university is affiliated with Sunnybrook).

"Some people found this video highly offensive and considered its endorsement by Sunnybrook Hospital and its indirect endorsement by the University of Toronto's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology disrespectful towards birthing women, babies and the birth process in general," Humanize Birth said in a statement Monday.

At the university's request, Sunnybrook made "OB/GYNE Style" private, according to a Dec. 19 comment on its official Facebook page. Comments on the Facebook thread and YouTube largely support the hospital.

"Excellent video by the staff at Sunnybrook," wrote YouTube user Bill Nye. "The hospital is great in GTA and the staff work very hard there, so a few minutes of comedy is all good given their stressful job roles."

Others objected to the "censorship" of the video.

"The Sunnybrook video did not contain bad medical advice nor did it contain hate speech. This is a free country. Please respect the right to free speech," wrote Facebook user Onion Yazdanian.

What do you think of the controversy? Warranted or overblown? Give us your take in the comments below.

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